On of the attractions of shopping on a cruise is the opportunity to purchase duty-free items. But those new to cruising may not understand that this does not mean all items will be duty-free on return- it’s just that they are duty free right there in that country.

When you return to the U.S. from a cruise outside of American’s territorial waters, you will be entitled to a certain amount of duty free goods per person, usually $800. This applies to everyone in your family, including infants, although you may not credit alcohol to their purchase. But you can share the basic deduction if one partner buys $500 worth of goods and the other buys $1100, it can be combined, as can your purchases and a child’s.

What you must declare upon your return to the U.S. is quite extensive, and can be checked on the U.S. Customs and Border site at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/declare.xml

All items purchased outside the country, must be declared, which means you’re one step ahead of the game, if you keep receipts in an easily located file in your carry-on baggage or purse. Preparing a list prior to your return, also shortens your time at the Customs clearance. Gifts must also be declared, and duty paid on them, which is something that wedding parties held onboard ships are occasionally unaware of. In that case, it’s best to ask that gifts be delivered at home.

There are also different requirements for the declaration of items that you mailed while outside the country, even to yourself, and items that are being sent to you later, such as garments that were being altered, or jewelry that is being engraved.

One requirement thing to be careful of, so you aren’t charged duty on your own possessions, is to go to a CBP office prior to departure and register all items of value that you are taking with you, including laptop computers, jewelry, and portable DVD or CD players. If you cannot prove you took it with you, there may be a dispute over paying duty on your return.